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Be careful what you wish for…

 Be careful what you wish for…
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” It seems that Republicans in the Alabama legislature are learning the meaning of this saying the hard way after they failed to show up for work this past Tuesday and ended up burning a legislative day and

Acts added to the Riverfest lineup

 By Donna Thornton/News Editor    
    The Chamber, Gadsden & Etowah County continues to lock in its schedule of performers for Riverfest 2013 with the announcement of two more performers – both with Alabama ties.
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones will be the middle act on Friday (May 31), performing between Reluctant Saints and Styx.
    Southside’s own Kate Falcon will

‘Miracle’ balm to be reborn

 By Donna Thornton/News Editor

    Benny McNair recalled a horrific incident from his childhood at a recent gathering of downtown merchants.
    It was around or maybe even on Easter Sunday at a family luncheon, when when a pot of hot gravy got spilled on an 8 or 9 year old McNair, burning his legs.
    He was taken to what was then

Area activities ramping up with city street fests, concerts

 If you can’t discern from weather that its spring, you can by the calendar of events slated next weekend in Etowah County.
    There’s First Friday in Gadsden, First Saturday in Attalla and the kick-off of the Courtyard Concert series at the Mary G. Hardin Center for the Cultural Arts.
    Historic downtown Gadsden will play host for the rebirth of Cumarindine.

Ferry takes a roadtrip

 By Donna Thornton/News Editor

    The Hokes Bluff Ferry pulled out of Gadsden, loaded on trailer for night-time trip to Monroeville around 9 p.m. March 26, much to the relief of Etowah County officials.
    Etowah County Engineer Tim Graves told members of the county commission in their meeting last week that county employees and contractors taking the ferry to Monroe County

Commission suspends action on any bingo-related issues

 By Donna Thornton/News Editor

    The Etowah County Co-mmission voted at a recent meeting to put a moratorium on any requests related to electronic bingo until the state or the courts resolve questions about the legality of the activity.
    Etowah County Chief Executive Officer Patrick Sims said the measure passed would stay any and all actions regarding electronic bingo.
    If someone

All-Messenger basketball teams announced

By Chris McCarthy/Editor

For the second straight year, Colin Edwards is tops among his peers in local high school basketball.

The Westbrook Christian junior forward is 2012-13 All-Messenger boys basketball team’s Player of the Year.

Edwards, who also earned the Messenger’s top honor last season, averaged 21.3 points. 9.3 rebounds and two blocks while leading the Warriors to a

Local teams ranked in state baseball, softball polls

BASEBALL

CLASS 6A

 1. Smiths Station 

 2. Hoover 

 3. Thompson

 4. Huntsville 

 5. Hewitt-Trussville

 6. Fairhope

 7. McGill-Toolen

 8. Baker

 9. Spain Park

 10. Prattville 

CLASS 5A

 1. Spanish Fort 

 2. Faith Academy 

 3. Russell County 

 4. Southside

 5. Cullman 

 6. Hartselle 

 7. Homewood 

 8. Etowah

 9. Chilton County 

 10. Briarwood Chr. 

CLASS 4A

 1. Charles Henderson

 2. Central-Florence

 3. Beauregard

 4. Thomasville

 5. Alexandria

 6. UMS-Wright 

 7. Guntersville

 8. Jacksonville 

 9. Childersburg

 10. Andalusia 

 CLASS 3A

 1. W.S. Neal 

 2. Mars Hill Bible 

 3. Plainview 

 4. Deshler

 5. Montevallo

 6. Trinity

 7. Thorsby 

 8. Cleveland 

 9. Opp 

 10. Leeds 

CLASS 2A

 1. Section

 2. Sheffield 

 3. G.W.

In & around SEC basketball

Although the Southeastern Conference only received three bids to the NCAA Tournament, the league fared relatively well during the first weekend of games. 

Florida dominated both Northwestern State and Minnesota to each the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. The Gators lost in the Elite 8 in each of the last two seasons. Billy Donovan’s team faces Flo-rida